“The Science of Discworld” by Terry Pratchett, Ian Stewart and Jack Cohen

The Science of Discworld by Terry PratchettMy rating: 5 of 5 stars “Science is not about building a body of known ‘facts’. It is a method for asking awkward questions and subjecting them to a reality-check, thus avoiding the human tendency to believe whatever makes us feel good.” Obviously, a proper world to support life …

“Sharks vs. Sloths” by Julie Beer

Sharks vs. Sloths by Julie BeerMy rating: 5 of 5 starsSharks vs. sloths? Well, I suppose it’s anyone’s game, really, but where I stand on this match-up can be best summarized by my (totally accidental) choice to wear a shark shirt and Sharks jacket the day I read this book. To know how “the guy …

“Troy” by Stephen Fry

Troy by Stephen FryMy rating: 5 of 5 stars “No, Paris was not a good boy.” Ancient Greeks sure loved their sprawling soap opera dramas, didn’t they? Game of Thrones can shut up and sit in the corner quietly and take notes and learn from those epic bloody myths. “How strange is our mortal zest …

“How It Unfolds” by James S.A. Corey

How It Unfolds by James S.A. CoreyMy rating: 5 of 5 starsAbsolutely loved it. This story alone makes the entire “Far Reaches” collection worth it. “It’s possible to be faithful to something that’s in the past. It’s not a betrayal to build something new when something old is finished.” A story confidently told and gently …

“System Collapse” by Martha Wells

System Collapse by Martha WellsMy rating: 5 of 5 starsMurderbot is not okay. I repeat, Murderbot is (very much) not okay. I was different. It wasn’t just the alien contamination. What came out was, “Something in me broke.” It’s easy to think of our former “mindless killing machine” with a soft spot for media entertainment …

“Slow Time Between the Stars” by John Scalzi

Slow Time Between the Stars by John ScalziMy rating: 3 of 5 starsAI, of course, is where the attention is now. Something smarter than humans, not subject to our limited lifespan and circumscribed worldview and cognition, and therefore able to see a big picture. Whether we, humans - for some reason hoping to control something …

“The Carpet People” by Terry Pratchett

The Carpet People by Terry PratchettMy rating: 3 of 5 stars “But the trouble about obeying orders is, it becomes a habit. And then everything depends on who’s giving the orders.” According to the Author’s Note, “This book had two authors, and they were both the same person”. Young Terry Pratchett started writing this book …